We hear time and time again that exercise is good for the mind, body, and spirit. Gerontologists prescribe exercise as an essential component to healthy aging. Indeed, research has indicated that it can prevent heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Armed with this knowledge, Forbes is reporting on Katie Reed and Kelly Froelich, who started a digital fitness app for older adults called Balanced. This app is intended to personalize exercise routines that protect against injuries and pain points while improving balance, bone density, flexibility, and muscle mass.
The inspiration for the app arose out of COVID-19 affecting older adults across the country with higher rates of isolation and cutting off access to in-person fitness programs. The creators of Balanced claim other programs are one-size-fits-all, which cannot be customized for older adults; they do not consider older users’ dexterity, potential injuries, or common pain points. This is coming at a time when older adults are becoming more tech-savvy, and more of them are adjusting to the idea that exercise can be a fun, personalized, and convenient experience, done in the comfort of their own homes.
Balanced was launched in November 2021. Later in February 2022, Balanced raised $6.5 million between pre-seed and seed funding. The creators know their product is fun and friendly, but they also want to make it affordable. While the service costs only $20 per month, the creators are pushing for having Balanced membership fees covered by Medicare Advantage.
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Source:
Stengel, G. 2022. Healthy Aging for Older Adults Facilitated By Digital Fitness Program. Forbes. April 27, 2022. Accessed May 11, 2022.
